iPhone 5S to Include Sapphire-Covered Convex Home Button with Fingerprint Sensor?

[billystlyes]

Wake me up when they increase the screen size to at least 4.7"

 

[maxosx]

Fingerprint scanner is a cool way to secure your iPhone but does that mean Apple and thus the U.S. government (NSA) has a record of the scan as well?

Of course it does. That's why Apple is adding the fingerprint scanner. They will then have absolute proof of who is using the phone. That data is extremely valuable. As a "silent" revenue stream, Apple will really double down on profit.

It's every FBI agents wet dream to plant on bug on your person. With the magical & revolutionary Apple iPhone 5S, they should pay people to voluntarily carry one. It's quite funny to read all the comments from those that are so naive they are actually excited to be fingerprinted. Wonders never cease.

 

[V.K.]

For anyone thinking a fingerprint scanner or NFS don't matter, I think you're failing to realize the potential:

Every single security feature you use today, passwords, keys, PINs, signatures, pass phrases... All of that could be done away with and replaced with just touching your iPhone.

It automatically verifies your fingerprint and emits a signal to all devices within a foot or two that you're you, and they unlock.

No longer will you need keys, or to remember anything special, or comment on how lousy your signature is... You'll just need your iPhone on you. It's a lot more convenient.

Furthermore, it's a lot more secure. Anyone can steal your key by getting a picture of it. A hacker can write a script that guesses your password day and night and it'll likely find yours within a week, if not within an hour.

+1

Also, can someone familiar with the technology involved explain why including a fingerprint sensor would force a switch to a convex home button? It seems really weird to me. The original article gives some reasons but I'm not sure how compelling they are. how thick does the sensor have to be?

 

[Gus Van Der Mee]

Finderprint scanner integrated into display. And get rid of that home button altogether.

 

[atlatnesiti]

To each his own really, but there's absolutely no reason preventing Apple from increasing the screen size while keeping the form factor pretty close to what it is now.

I personally would love an iPhone with a 4.7 inch screen.

Same here and I think Apple would make a killing if they released one this fall.
Have a low budget 5C with tiny 4 inch screen along side 4.7 - 5 inch premium model.
After all, every other Apple product comes in multiple screen sizes...

 

[Cole Slaw]

Of course it does. That's why Apple is adding the fingerprint scanner. They will then have absolute proof of who is using the phone. That data is extremely valuable. As a "silent" revenue stream, Apple will really double down on profit.

It's every FBI agents wet dream to plant on bug on your person. With the magical & revolutionary Apple iPhone 5S, they should pay people to voluntarily carry one. It's quite funny to read all the comments from those that are so naive they are actually excited to be fingerprinted. Wonders never cease.

IF Apple's new iPhone comes with a fingerprint scanner I would think you would be able to disable it and either have no security or use the old password method.
However, what is of concern with a fingerprint scanning home button is that it ought to be possible for someone (you know who, starts with an "N" ends with an "A") to surreptitiously record you print anyway without you even wanting/knowing about it. I suppose the same COULD be done with the camera as well.
Not trying to sound like a tinfoil hatter here, but I can't really see why this would not be possible.

 

[Chris CA]

So with a convex home button, wouldn't that mean that when laid face-down, the iPhone would wobble from the extruding home button?

and more easily accidentally get pressed.

Apple likes their devices to be flush and fluid as possible

Though it's not flush now.

 

[sik08amg]

This is one big conspiracy to collect a more accurate and encompassing fingerprint database for the FBI. Social profiling in the works here. I am not one bit excited about this feature. Give us more battery life, give us more WiFi range, but THIS??? This is just crazy. And you know they will be collecting those fingerprint scans and turning them over to the government...Apple already unlocks iPhones for the FBI on their command. BEWARE!

Um, I'm about 100% sure if there is an option for a fingerprint security feature, it will be a part of the setup of the phone... just like Siri, find my iPhone etc. if you don't want it don't use it. I personally am required to have a complex password on my phone for corporate email, and it gets annoying. My prints are already on file from background checks, so I'm not the least bit concerned. People have to understand that personal information that can affect your life is already out there and is probably store less securely than this fingerprint will be, and if they really want your prints they can just sweep your trash for a soda can or something...

 

[Sir Real]

Of course it does. That's why Apple is adding the fingerprint scanner. They will then have absolute proof of who is using the phone. That data is extremely valuable. As a "silent" revenue stream, Apple will really double down on profit.

It's every FBI agents wet dream to plant on bug on your person. With the magical & revolutionary Apple iPhone 5S, they should pay people to voluntarily carry one. It's quite funny to read all the comments from those that are so naive they are actually excited to be fingerprinted. Wonders never cease.

I assume your being facetious? If not then you have my full sympathy. It must be hell on earth to constantly haul around the dead weight of such a big bulging bag of cynicism.

 

[Jimmy James]

Who cares about 4.7. I want a smaller device. Besides, I already have a 7.

 

[goinskiing]

No one cares about a 4.7 inch screen other then Andre the Giant.

People look stupid holding a 4.7 inch phone to their ear/head.

No, not really. I'd actually prefer 5" iphone a la S4, that seems to be the sweet spot. iOS would great on a 5" phone screen. Also, you must not get out much. 4.7" and up are quite common, the market doesn't with your statement.

 

[rvinny]

Siri, Maps, now a fingerprint scanner?! I spot a trend here.

 

[BarryL]

Siri, Maps, now a fingerprint scanner?! I spot a trend here.

Could be the spark Apple needs to rebound.

 

[mtneer]

Fingerprints, voice calls, internet communications, GPS data, contacts list, Facebook - all in one convenient package to be sent straight to NSA headquarters!!

 

[Gasu E.]

If you sell your 5 now, what phone will you use till the 5S comes out?

It's not a problem; no one ever calls him anyway.

 

[duffman9000]

I agree there. Like I said, there are many other things Apple could work on with the iPhone...like getting month-long standby time, better battery life, larger screen, and better WiFi range. Heck, even the design...the sharp edges...it's an uncomfortable phone!!! I wish Apple would smooth things out some and give the phone rounded edges so it's comfortable to talk for any length of time.

I hear ya. I think the problem will get worse as Apple makes the phone even thinner.

 

[xumax]

I am excited about this rumor. What will be interesting is to see how Apple sets the trend for a fingerprint sensor across the mobile market. This will be something that, if the customer thirsts for it, will take a while for competitors to catch up to. I like the thought of a fingerprint sensor on iPads, too. The final advantage of this feature will be security that provides the possibility to include mobile payment beyond Passbook.

Stupid sheeps follow the butcher.
********ing idiots, excited abou the trash of total control.

 

[JoEw]

I wasn't talking numbers. When it comes to features, Apple's the lazy kid who does the bare minimum. Android is the overachiever. I'm an Apple fan and I have a Nexus 4 and an iPad and was a former iPhone user. Nobody should be able to compare operating systems unless they use both of them.

How good are those features? Are they useful? Spec/features are only as good as they are implemented.

 

[BvizioN]

People place their phones screen down!?

I do that many times, when I am on a table with others and I wanna be deiscreet with the incoming calls, messages, notifications. Just vibration and flashing.

 

[atlatnesiti]

Who cares about 4.7. I want a smaller device. Besides, I already have a 7.

Judging by massive sales of Samsung, HTC and other 5 inch handsets, millions of people do, millions of iPhone sales lost due to the tiny screen size.

 

[rvinny]

Could be the spark Apple needs to rebound.

Or another misguided adventure. The active screen of the MotoX is a better feature release IMO.

I had a finger scanner on an old work Dell, never used it. I installed a finger scanner for our office front door and its convenient, but takes 5-6 attempts when sweaty or on a sunny day.

 

[Worf]

Or another misguided adventure. The active screen of the MotoX is a better feature release IMO.

I had a finger scanner on an old work Dell, never used it. I installed a finger scanner for our office front door and its convenient, but takes 5-6 attempts when sweaty or on a sunny day.

The last thing Tim Cooks wants is another hardware gaffe, so either this feature ships ready to use and resistant to constant abuse, or it doesn't.

 

[Klae17]

Won't reading the print take a few seconds anyway (not to mention the misreads?) I want to get on my phone in no time!

We don't know how long it will take. It hasn't been released.

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I really don't see the point of a finger print sensor, I mean sure its a nice feature for some security features.. but most people care about a larger screen then a finger print sensor of all things. You would think Apple would listen.

But they will make more money by keeping the same form factor.

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I agree there. Like I said, there are many other things Apple could work on with the iPhone...like getting month-long standby time, better battery life, larger screen, and better WiFi range. Heck, even the design...the sharp edges...it's an uncomfortable phone!!! I wish Apple would smooth things out some and give the phone rounded edges so it's comfortable to talk for any length of time.

They are with the new iPhone 5C.

 

[BvizioN]

Only a month to go before the announcement and we haven't seen any leaked scanner pictures. Either this is the best kept secret yet or there is no scanner.

The fact that there have been no leaks at all have nothing to do with it having scanner or not IMO. We would have been able to see a leak that indicates there is no scanner if that's the case. A bit unusual for a phone that have a month (more or less) to be announced. I sense some misdirections with the iPhone C. What if there will not be iPhone 5S but 6 instead?

 

[Klae17]

no thanks

I would love to see the 4 Inch phone as well as a 4.7 Inch Phone.